Awesome for not giving in to the pizza!! And you're right, some of those people might not have washed their hands. YUCK!! The cucumber thing is a great idea. I have done that a few times myself. I even add a little avocado to it occasionally. It's a great low-cal snack.

Still trying to get into Zumba here. The one closest by me, I can't get into until August. So if I want to start now, I will have to go across town. But we'll see. I'm still doing great on getting in the fitness minutes. Still need to figure out how to get out of plateau land. If I stay here any longer I can start handing out visitor information! LOL

Hope things go well at the Banquet. If you feel yourself wanting something really bad, look for something acidic like pickles. Pickles have always helped me when my mouth wanted something. But have a nice time don't drive yourself nuts thinking about the things you shouldn't have!!

In an effort to plan out my calories, I've already tracked all the food that I plan to eat today & it's within range!! Yay Me! The challenge will be at the banquet tonight with all of the finger foods there. Hopefully going in focused will keep me from ignoring my goals.

On the first Monday of the month my gym orders pizza for all the members. Yesterday at the gym, I DID NOT EAT PIZZA!!!! It's kind of crazy that they order pizza but I kept thinking that I didn't want to waste a workout and so that kept me from going into the box. I also thought about how dirty everyones hands were from sweating and how I would be eating germs LOL I think that was part of the motivation.

I really like my gym. It's planet fitness and the basic membership is only $10 a month with no contract. My membership is $20 a month with a one year contract BUT I can bring a friend with me for free everytime I go. I don't have any friends who want to go on a regular basis but that's okay because it keeps me reminded that my goals are for ME!

Afternoon snacking at work or at home? Try having healthy snacks arounds. I was so proud of myself today. For lunch I brought a cut up cucumber and I put salt and pepper on it. After I ate it, I plugged it in and it was less than 50 calories. That's a great way to snack, and it was filling!!!!

1/2 an inch, way to go! I suck at measuring. Well the truth is I'm using the type of tape measure that construction people use lol and it's just a hassle. I measured today and I lost an inch in the waist but no where else, YET! That's also due to the time I was off track.

Today was a great day. In addition to the healthy lunch, I did 30 minutes at the gym on the elliptical, spent some time on strength training and I got in an hour of ZUMBA!~ What more can I ask for in staying on track!

Well...still stuck in plateau land but I did lose another 1/2 inch. I'm going to try and change things up for June to see if it will make a difference. Once I get it set up, I'll let you know how it's going.

Glad to hear you got to change up the internship. Keep it positive!! Good Luck this week!!

I had a very FOCUSED weekend. I did Zumba on Saturday, went grocery shopping on Sunday and didn't even get the 420 calorie muffins. Instead I got weight watchers muffins. I'll let you know how those go. I'm having a great morning. Prepared food last night for lunch including a fruit and vegetable. I'm rocking and rolling!!! Zumba tonight!!!

Dinner for tonight.. low calorie hot dogs probably!!

Tomorrow I have a scholarship reception in the evening so no workout. I know I'll have to really make a plan to stay on track with dinner. (Maybe eating before I go will help)

Planning to stay on track today and do a weigh in this week!!! The scale at the gym is always different then the one at home. That may be because I'm at the gym in the evening weighing in. This morning the scale said 253.4 so I'm hoping the gym scale isn't too different!!!

HI Guys and Welcome to Sparks!!! You will find that this is a great place to help keep you on track and to reach your goals!!! It is also a great place to find that motivation that you might need. Having other people going through the same thing and to be able to talk about it without any judgements is a wonderful thing!! I know that it is what helps me and this is the place to find all of that. Good Luck on your journey to losing that unwanted weight and we are all here for support if and when you need it!!!

I haven't been on SP long, but I'm definitely loving every minute of it! I've done many many diets in the past but still never truly knew what I was consuming until I started tracking with SP. I love how it breaks everything down and gives me real goals and real information. I am looking forward to all that SP has to offer!!

Hi Bradley-- Welcome to Sparkpeople!!! Congratulations on 100 GONE!!! I think that Sparkpeople will definitely help to keep you motivated. Just logging in each day and talking to people with similar goals can be useful so that means reaching out to people on the boards, on their pages, etc. ASW1977 has been helping to keep me motivated. She work to get in 10,000 steps and has joined the quick fire challenge team which gives you daily challenges each day. I'm sure she'll share more with you about her experience!!!

The job is getting better... but I'm not passionate about what I'm doing. My first love is working with children and so I'm hoping to leave this internship and become a summer nanny! The interview went well and even though being a nanny won't fit in very well on my resume as a business major, I feel that I've had some strong leadership experiences amongst my 3 different internships and I worked throughout this past academic year as a management team leader. I'm hoping that leaving an 'official' position won't hurt me down the line.

I feel like I have made a great recovery this week. I had a great workout on Thursday with the gym and Zumba and I'm trying to decide if I should do Zumba today. I'm like 60% sure that I want to do it so I probably will. Not sure what dinner will look like tonight, I'm going to baby-sit for the family that I hope to nanny for. (I still feel strange saying that I'll be a nanny lol). Maybe subway?!? I'm trying to stay away from the Subway tuna (it's the worst thing on the menu in terms of calories and all that) I just checked the website and the new tuscan chicken melt is 370 calories but I'm not sure if that includes cheese... hmmmm... we'll see!

I too like the Skinny cow bars. I've been on a 2# down 1# up for about a month. I had lost 100# before that. I need some motivation. Any Ideas. I have started walking again this week. My goal is 5 miles a day

I read some of the posts, and I wanted to thank you for sharing with us your thoughts. I know it is difficult to share your thoughts like it is for most of us. You just have to learn to take things on a day to day basis!! You never know what will happen tomorrow!!

Glad to hear that you didn't gain anything from falling off track. I know that was worrying you. I'm hoping that I met my small goal for this week. I'm getting tired of being stuck in plateau land with the scale!! Wish me luck!

I am so happy. Today was just a great day for me. I did 1 hour of Zumba, 25 minutes on the elliptical, 5 minutes on the treadmill and stayed within my calorie range. (For real this time, no secret snacks!)

I am just so proud of today. Planning on being proud of tommorrow too.

Way to Go!!! Keep up the positive thinking that always helps to keep you motivated. Sorry the job thing is still going rough. Hope everything works out a little better this next week.

And by the way, I tried the skinny cow truffle bar OMG!!! It's the best. Have to watch it though or I will try to eat the whole box. I also found frozen fruit bars by creamy creations that only have 35 calories and they are just as big as the skinny cow bars!!! So I got myself a big selection.

I keep meaning to do that too! I printed menus but I think I'll write it down since I'm at work and place it on the weekly menu when I get home.

I've had a rough, very rough past 2 weeks and I think it has a lot to do with this job. I did interview on Sunday and hope to hear back by Thursday if I got it or not. I feel kind of bad since this is only my second week here and I guess I'll have to give some kind of notice? Usually I remain dedicated to things even when I don't like them but this time I just want something different. This week I'm hoping to get back on track, starting today! Let me just take it day by day and if I get through today, then I can worry about tomorrow.

This past week I have done really bad on my eating and going over my calories as well. If it wasn't for the challenges, I don't think I would have kept going this week. The challenges seem to keep me focused. I just have to rethink my eating habits and that's the really hard part because I like to eat!!

I'm glad the gym thing is going well. Maybe changing to the AM might be a boost of sorts. It will probably be rough the first few times, but after a couple of times maybe it won't be so bad. That's why I like the Quick Fire Challenges because they are throughout the day and I don't have to leave all my exercising to the end of the day. Because sometimes at the end of the day I am too worn out and tired to work out.

But this week I have scheduled a meal plan. I have everything scheduled from the time I get up until the time I get ready for bed. So I now have my calories spread out through the day and hopefully this will get me on track so I no longer go over.

I have to take control. Today I went over my calories again and it's because I'm letting my situation get the best of me instead of making the best of it. The gym/Zumba tomorrow, the gym on Sunday, the gym on Monday.

OMG.. I am so sorry to hear about your brother and will definitely say a prayer for him tonight. That is a very brave and thoughtful act of him and I hope he gets better soon.

The computer access requires the person from the agency to come and set it up. You would think that they could get me a temporary log in or let me log on to there computer. For my whole 8 hours today, I got 2 phone calls and 1 visitor looking for the conference.. it really sucks. I'm just trusting GOD right now in this situation... whatever he has in store for me, will be.

Today I ate less than 2000 calories, though I didn't make the best choice at dinner time which brought on most of my calories. I did however burn 400 calories at the gym and did Zumba tonight so that was 90 minutes of fitness today. Zumba tomorrow too!!! I'm thinking of changing my hours to go into work later so I can move my workout to the am instead of waiting until the evening. I was really tired this evening even though I got over 8 hours of sleep last night. I'm afraid that if I move it to the am, I'll still be tired though. I think it might be a necessary move though.. I'm going to think about it over the weekend.

It seems like those Quick Fire Challenges are really keeping you on track. Congratulations on getting to a record with your fitness minutes. Keep it up!!!!

Sorry that your internship sucks right now. Hopefully it will get better. Why don't they let you have any computer access? That bites!

On Sunday I didn't even get close to my 10,000 steps and that's a bummer. I was on a roll!! But Monday I got back on track and today I only need a couple more hundred. It's helps since I do the Quick Fire Challenges though.

But today's been really rough though. My brother and I are both social workers and today during one of his investigations he got stabbed by a meth-head. It freaked me out. But he's doing okay. The guy had grabbed a knife and charged his wife and his kid. My brother stepped in front and got stabbed. The guy is now facing charges for attempted murder of the wife, assault with a deadly weapon towards by brother and endangerment of a child.

I thank God that nothing more serious happened and I hope that tomorrow is better. And hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for you at work. Keep positive and I will send you positive thoughts throughout the day!!!

Less calories than yesterday but still OVER. Tomorrow I'm working out & I OWE IT TO MYSELF!

Still don't like the internship. Yes it's my second day but today was worst than yesterday and tomorrow will be worst because I will be the ONLY ONE in the office and answering phones (mind you, we've only gotten two calls between today and yesterday) On top of that, they have call forwarding so they really don't need anyone there. On top of that, if someone calls with a question I WON'T HAVE THE ANSWERS!!!! Ready for the icing on the cake... I have no computer access. So I will literally spend 8 hours at the desk doing NOTHING & I can't even get on the computer and play freecell or log on to SP. This is horrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrible. I'll look for a book to take to work with me even though reading is not a favorite past time. Anything will do at this point.

Okay let me try this again now that I've logged in my food. I went over my calories because I had outback today and on top of that, I didn't exercise. I was soooooooooooo tired and tomorrow I have to get up even earliers followed by an even earlier and longer day W and R. THIS SUCKS! I did get a lot of walking done today. I wish I would have had my pedometer to see how close I got to 10,000.

I WILL NOT CHEAT MYSELF ANYMORE. I HAVE TO PUT MYSELF FIRST, BEFORE THE JOB, BEFORE EVERYONE ELSE.. MY FITNESS GOALS MUST BE A PRIORITY. I just have to keep telling myself that. I need to depend on GOD to keep me focused.

I DID IT AGAIN TODAY!!!! I mean considering that is how I normally was eating before joining SP again, I don't feel super bad. I know that weekends will be a battle. This last week was kind of a jump start, me getting to know my eating habits and tomorrow I start work and I can really work to implement a total new routine. Of course, I'll check in tomorrow hopefully throughout the day but if not, definitely after dinner. Tomorrow is a ZUMBA DAY!!!!!

Drinks will always get you. I'm not a drinker, well I just turned 21 but on top of that, I don't want to start drinking not only because of the extra calories but I don't want it to lead to alcoholism so I work hard to STAY AWAY from them. I'm glad that youa nd your friend had a great time and so proud that you got your 10000 steps in. You're really doing great!!!! Congratulations on your 3 lbs and 3.5 inches GONE FOREVER! Keep working!

I went over my calorie intake on Saturday as well. My friends and I got together to have a few drinks and that did it. Well, actually the snacks I had while drinking was what did it. But since my friend had joined Jenny Craig and she couldn't do anything for 2 weeks, we helped out. So for two weeks we waited before getting together for a party night.

We went with Bacardi since it has the lowest calories, measured and everything, so it wasn't bad on the drinks. We decided that we would do it once a month as a reward for ourselves. At least during the evening we completed our 10,000 steps for the day, so it wasn't a total loss.

And the food your mom brought you sounds wonderful, I would have at it too! But don't be discouraged we all slip occasionally. I know you will get back on track. Good luck at the gym!

Today was a great day except.. I WENT OVER MY CALORIES (BY ABOUT 600)! This is how it happened. My mother brought me some food home from the annual cookout at her job. After eating a hamburger, pulled barbeque pork or chicken (couldn't tell) sandwich, half a cob of corn, and macaroni salad I used the calorie tracker and got 1000 calories. (of course, it could be more because I'm not sure how the food brought home was cooked). I then went to my grandmother's house after getting my hair done and had a muffin. 420 calories right there. Then later on for dinner I had 7-11 chili and cheese nachos and a small slurpee. That's probably 1000 right there but it was less in the tracker. Tomorrow I might go to the gym to work some of this off :) :(

If I don't go to the gym then I guess I'll just have to deal with the choice I made and the pound that I'll still have on my body.

Workouts really do curve your appetite. Today I had no workout, have already had enough calories, and yet I am battling a craving for a snack. I'm tired today so I decided not to workout but instead of coming home and laying down, I got on the computer which is close to all of the snacks. I don't have any fruit right now but I do have 100 calorie snack packs. I am going to take a shower and may have one after.

No workout tomorrow or Sunday either. I may do some walking outside though. Tomorrow I have a hair appointment and who wants to workout after they get there hair done. I will do squats and simple things, maybe some arm exercises.

Challenge starting Monday: 15 wall push ups each time I go to the rest room.

I'm sure you will find it. Google it and you should find something. The main Zumba site should have a link to see classes by each state. You're doing great with the walking. Keep it up!!! When I start working on Monday, I plan to make an effort to add fruits and veggies too. I'm very picky though and it's so easy for fruits and veggies to spoil when you don't eat them quickly.

Today I had a Red Baron pizza, a muffin, for dinner I will eat a sandwich and fries but homecooked. This will put me at my maximum calories for the day so no skinny cow! Sometimes after you eat something and log it in you realize that you've wasted calories. I wasted 420 calories on a muffin :(- This is a learning process!

Glad to hear that your sticking to your plan. I'm going to be checking into Zumba today to see if there is anything like that here in SA. A friend of mine wants to do it with me if we can find it.

I've been working daily on getting the cardio in and making sure to get my goal of 10,000 steps met. It is a struggle some days, but I'm having fun with it. I need to make sure to get in the strength training a couple times a week so I can tighten up too.

I've been sticking to the lean cuisines and have increased my fruit and veggie intake. Still staying within my calorie range even with adding in an ice cream sandwich last night. That was my reward for the day. Sunday will be another weigh in day for me and hopefully I have dropped at least 1 pound. If it's more awesome, but at least one. I have been working way to hard this week to be stuck at the same number and I will freak if I have gained anything. I'll keep you posted!

Made it to the gym today!!! YES!! & I'm doing ZUMBA tonight, YES!!! According to the machines I burned 800 calories. I have a watch and HRM belt thing but I have not been using it. It's kind of confusing to work with. I did the elliptical for 30 minutes for 411 calories, treadmill for about 20 minutes for 211 calories and then back on the elliptical for about 15 minutes for 180 calories. One day I'll put the HRM on to see if they HRM on the machine match and if they give me the same information. I feel great after the gym, 800 is the most I've ever done. Since joining planet fitness I've made my way from about a 15 minute mile on the elliptical to about 12 minutes. My record is 10 minutes, 30 seconds. The only thing about the elliptical, I'm not sure which level to put it on. It seems lower levels burn calories faster so what's the point of putting it on a higher level??

I started the day with Taco Bell, a soft taco and crunchy taco from the fresco menu. I had watermelon and a couple grapes and apple slices from the salad bar to accompany it. I ate half of a muffin. Tonight, a skinny cow and singles pizza. I don't choose the best things to eat but I am in my calorie range today!! As long as I don't add any more food to it. When I exercise it kind of curves my appetite so I should be good. I like focusing on calories because I can still eat what I want. I am counting on this plan to work!!!

Zumba sounds like a lot of fun, I'm definitely gonna have to check it out. I love dancing!! And I'm doing the same thing for lunches. I went and bought a bunch of veggies and lean cuisines. I'm going to get the skinny cow desserts next week. I haven't tried them yet.

And Congrats on staying under your calorie range, that's GREAT! I've been doing good on that part but twice I have gone over my fat range for the day. Plus, I need to increase my proteins.

Hope the internship goes well and you'll have to let me know about the gym. That's one place I haven't had the nerve to go into just yet! Good Luck!

Did Zumba today and ate within my calorie range! YES!!!! The Zumba instructor gets tired sometimes, usually once a week and I think today was her tired day. For that reason I am looking forward to the gym tomorrow!!!! I have a big day planned with a few appointments and grocery shopping to do so the gym will be in the evening. IF I don't have enough energy, Zumba will do but my body is craving fitness release.

That's the thing! Once you start exercising on a regular basis, your body wants more and more of it. I just heard someone on the biggest loser say YOU HAVE TO GET OVER WHAT'S IN YOUR MIND AND LET YOUR BODY DO THE WORK!!!

I have to get over what's in my mind and let my body do the work (& use my time wisely)!

Hi Amber--- Zumba is the best!!! It's latin dance with a little hip hop to it. If you google azukabom or go to dczumba.com and click videos and pictures you can actually see my class in action. My instructor is excellent. You don't have to know how to dance either, it's like a big party.

I am feeling a little better, I opted for the chicken noodle soup yesterday. I had a horrible stomach ache and headache. I'm feeling 95% better today and I am planning on Zumba tonight! Not quite ready for the gym today. The elliptical is always a great workout but I want to be at 100% before trying it.

On another note, my internship starts Monday. I am going grocery shopping for lunches. I think I'm going to pick up a couple lean pockets and lean cuisines. Skinny cows for dessert after dinners. Maybe make a menu for cooking dinner for next week.

Hi I'm Amber! Sorry to hear that your were feeling bad today. I was wondering, what exactly is Zumba? I know I could probably look it up, but I'd rather hear from someone who has done it! Hope you feel better tomorrow! =)

No Zumba or gym today... feeling horrible. I've been in bed all day and have zero energy. I've had a minute maid cherry slurpee and will probably have chicken noodle soup or junk. Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow.

Logged in again today! YES! Went over my calories but I do plan to do Zumba tomorrow, and probably the gym too. Tomorrow's food plan? Not sure yet. Hoping to make smart choices. Maybe a granola bar and then a lean pocket for lunch. I work best when I plan ahead of time. Not sure what dinner will be but if I eat light before, I should stay on track.

Today I learned... Pop Tarts (even the low fat ones) are a waste of calories. 2 in a pack and 380 calories for it is really a waste, especially since they do nothing to fill you up.

Learning as I go, learning to choose foods worthy of eating. It will take a while to get this all under control.

My first post on the boards since creating a new profile!!! In the back of my mind I know that I can do this, I'm just not sure of where I'll get support from. I mean real support, not the good job Stephanie that I've been getting. If I had a dieting and workout partner it would be so much easier but nobody is really serious like me which makes me doubt how serious I actually am. This journal posting may be my first step to accountability. We'll see if I post tomorrow. I logged my food in today :) It always seems like I eat too much when I exercise which cancels out all the hard work :( I spent an hour doing Zumba yesterday, will do another hour tomorrow. Today I spent an hour on the elliptical. That always makes me proud! BUT I ate too much! Fresh start tomorrow. Good Night SP!

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